On your route to Everest Base Camp, you pass through a number of locations. It can seem like the places you have recently traveled through or even spent time in are merely stepping stones on your path to Everest over the several days you will be spending in the Himalayas.
Once your trip is over and you’re back home, you’ll definitely glance back. What if, even though you were present, you were unable to see everything? That’s not a nice sensation, is it?
On your route to Everest Base Camp, you pass through a number of locations. It can seem like the places you have recently traveled through or even spent time in are merely stepping stones on your path to Everest over the several days you will be spending in the Himalayas.
Once your trip is over and you’re back home, you’ll definitely glance back. What if, even though you were present, you were unable to see everything? That’s not a nice sensation, is it?
Kathmandu: The ancient Nepali Kingdom
Nepal’s political and cultural capital is Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a place where traditional traditions meet with the most cutting-edge technology. The majesty of the past captivates travelers, even though their eyes may linger on a delicately carved wooden window frame, an 18th-century bronze sculpture, or a spiritually uplifting temple or stupa.
Like any major city, Kathmandu has experienced enormous growth in the last ten years, but despite the clamor and noise that accompany large cities, the locals are still incredibly kind.
Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and festivals that take to the streets now and then with throngs of followers seeking blessings, all while keeping its historic customs. These religious ceremonies are filled with tales and are truly a show, with chariot processions and masked dancers who are frequently possessed by deity spirits.
Make sure to stroll around the city and UNESCO proclaimed world heritage monuments like the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur; the money temple fairly popular as Swyambhu, find calm in Boudhanath Stupa and embark on spirituality at Pashupatinath temple. Wait, there’s more! Explore the local bazaars at Asan and spend the night in the touristic Thamel!
Thamel is also a wonderful site to purchase climbing and mountaineering equipment, also travel accessories and souvenirs.
Lukla: Start your Everest Trek!
Lukla is a town in the northeastern region of Nepal, in the Khumbu section of the Solukhumbu District. It is a prominent site for tourists visiting the Himalayas near Mount Everest located at 2,860 meters (9,383 feet). Although Lukla means “a place with countless goats and sheep”, the region presently has only a few goats and sheep.
Because of the enormous number of trekkers, holidaymakers, and mountaineers who visit each year, Lukla has evolved into a commercial attraction. Consequently, despite its diminutive size, the village is humming with hikers on their route to EBC.
Lukla has a small airport that serves the region, as well as many tourist and trekker-friendly shops and hotels that sell western-style meals and trail supplies. Lukla airport provides as your gateway to the Everest Trekking zone. The airport at Lukla is named among some of the world’s most thrilling airports!
What is it about this flight that makes it so thrilling and fascinating? It is, in fact, the landing strip of Lukla Airport. At 525 meters (1,729 feet), it has one of the world’s shortest runways and one of the highest airports at 9,334 feet (2,845 m).
Phakding: Have a First day trekking experience
Phakding is a small village located in Nepal’s Khumbu area. It is located at an altitude of 2,610 meters in the Dudh Kosi river valley, about north of Lukla and south of Monjo, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The Everest Base Camp trek track begins in Lukla, and Phakding is a first night experience to stay at the mountain and it is popular place for trekkers traveling the Gokyo Ri or Tengboche routes to Sagarmatha (Mount Everest). The village’s principal aim is to serve the tourism business, and it comprises various guesthouses. Phakding is also a stoppage for the travellers to acclimatize and prepare mentally for their rigorous journey to the base camp.
Namche Bazaar: The Gateway to Everest!
Expeditions to Everest and other Himalayan peaks in the Everest Region commence from Namche Bazaar. It has grown into a small, vibrant market town selling anything from Tibetan artifacts to hiking and climbing gears and anything else you might need on your expedition. The visitor facility at park headquarters includes extensive information on the Everest region’s multiple climbs, a memento from previous mountaineering trips and information on the Sherpa lifestyle and culture.
Namche, a historic trading town famous for its handcrafted yak cheese and butter, is a must-visit. It is positioned adjacent an arch-shaped mountain with panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks from all points within the valley. Despite its expansion, Namche Bazaar has been keeping its historical culture, traditions, and real friendliness. There is also a regular pub, Wi-Fi, and a pool table with the usual range of motels, restaurants, and equipment stores. Because acclimatization is a gradual process, stopping here for a couple of days to get acclimatized by trekking up and down in the area is an excellent alternative.
A visit to Syangboche or various Sherpa communities such as Thame, Khumjung, and Khunde, which are only a few hour walks from Namche, are ideal ways to pass the time while getting acclimatized. You will feel revitalized following an acclimatization trip around Namche Bazaar, such as a trek to the Hotel Everest overlook. Hiking in the nearby areas rewards you with panoramic views of mountains such as Mt. Everest, Tawache, Ama Dablam, and the Khumbu Himal.
Every Saturday, Namche conducts a weekly market fair. Traders throng to Namche Bazaar to set up stalls at the weekly market event. On Saturdays, a variety of products are on show at the market. Traders from Tibet sell a variety of Chinese products.
Lukla is utilized to transport the remaining food and merchandise of Nepali and Indian origin. Popularized as the Sherpa capital, interacting with them may be something you wish to take home as a distinct memory.
Syangboche and the hotel you must visit!
Syangboche is a must-visit the settlement when you are en route to Everest Base Camp. There’s a prominent hotel located there: Everest View Hotel. You probably have read about this hotel in several other blogs as well. In 2004, the Everest View Hotel set a Guinness Record for the Highest Placed Hotel in the World. Because there is no road, the hotel has own helipad. You can also watch awe-inspiring snow-capped 360-degree mountain views from the hotel. Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Khumbu Himal, and Tawache are a few mountain peaks that will leave you spellbound, and they are all breathtaking. Syangboche is one of the most visited places on the EBC Trek.
Takashi Miyahara, a Japanese-born Nepalese tourist entrepreneur, envisioned this hotel after observing the stunning grandeur of snow-capped peaks such as Everest. Yoshinobu Kumagaya, a Japanese architect built the state-of-the-art hotel. Building the hotel was fairly difficult provided that you need to transfer a lot of construction materials high up in the Himalayas. The task began in 1960 with the support of native Sherpas. Porters and helicopters hauled all of the construction materials. The hotel was finally completed in 1971, and the doors were open to the public.
Tengboche: Monasteries, eccentrics and more!
Tengboche, located on a hill across Imja Khola, is the most usual night halt after Namche. Nestled on the lap of historic Khumbila and across the lovely Ama Dablam, Tengboche is a magical spot to visit.
Tengboche offers a beautiful perspective of the Himalayan peaks, including Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Tenzing Norgay was born in the village of Thani and was taken to Tengboche Monastery to become a monk. He was the first man to reach the pinnacle of Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Tengboche Monastery is one of Nepal’s most well-known monasteries, owing to its unrivaled view of Mt. Ama Dablam. The monastery is a Buddhist stronghold in the Khumbu region with a resident Rinpoche who blesses pilgrims, climbers, and visitors.
Across the gorge from Khunde, the monastery locates on a high elevation. In 1989, a fire destroyed the original Tengboche Monastery and later on repaired with a more substantial construction.
Tengboche Monastery conducts the lively Mani Rimdu festival every October, which provides for Buddhist festivals with religious meetings, singing, ritual dances, and reenactments of notable peoples’ lives. Visitors are welcome to join in the festivities, and many trekkers organize their journeys around the event. You can enjoy a tour of the monastery during the afternoon.
Dingboche: Acclimatize and adjust!
Dingboche is a popular halting point for trekkers and climbers en way to Mount Everest for Everest Base Camp, Ama Dablam, or Imja Tse. You can normally accomplish your acclimatization by spending two nights here.
The majority of Dingboche consists lodges and tenting places based heavily on tourism. The Imja River passes right through the town to the east.
There is a helicopter landing pad near Moonlight Lodge, just west of the Imja River. Dingboche is home to a satellite-based Internet cafe and also one of the world’s tallest billiard parlours.
The miles of Mani walls made with stones of varying sizes that cover the entire Valley of Imja are one of Dingboche’s defining features. These stones are removed to plough the soil, then placed one on top of the other to construct km of walls.
Lobuche: The trail to the wonderland!
Lobuche is a small settlement in Nepal’s Khumbu region near Mount Everest. It is one of the final overnight lodging stations on the “path to base camp,” a walk climbers take on their way to Everest Base Camp when attempting an ascent of Everest via the southeastern route. It’s also a popular halting point for local trekkers.
The Lobuche summit is notable for peak climbing. Appreciate adventure sports? Then, this is it. The spectacular mountains and natural magnificence that you observe from Lobuche will take your breath away and leave you amazed.
Gorakshep: The last hotel stop!
Gorakshep hamlet is located within the Sagarmatha National Park and serves as a hub for Sherpa guides, porters, and tourism businesses. On the Everest route, it is the penultimate stop for lodging. There are no possibilities for accommodations above the location other than camping in a tent.
Thus, trekkers arriving from Lobuche leave their belongings in Gorakshep guesthouses and go to EBC. Rather of being a cultural community, Gorakshep is more of a rest area for hikers. Experience the unsung song of wildness in Gorakshep while spending the night here!
The natural WONDERS of the Everest Base Camp Trek .
Everest Base Camp
The ‘Everest Base Camp’ is the primary attraction of the Everest Base Camp Trek at the end of the day. Being at the Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re standing in front of the world’s tallest mountain peak, surrounded by stunning snowcapped peaks.
You’re up in the camp, in front of some of the world’s biggest mountain peaks. You get a close look at the majestic mountain peaks and notice distinct energy surrounding you. There will be other trekkers with you who will experience the same vibe as yours in the Himalayas. You can also observe some climbers preparing for the top.
There will also be some who have recently completed the expedition and are preparing to return to Lukla. When you begin on this adventure with your friends or family, it becomes an incredible experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience
Kalapatthar
Without your little trip to Kalapatthar, your Everest Base Camp journey can feel lacking. In your opinion, what makes Kalapatthar an essential destination? A sight of enormous, snow-capped mountains that you have never seen before will astound you.
Gradually, as you climb the grassy mountainside, your view of the surrounding mountain ranges, enormous glaciers, and Gorakshep becomes clearer. Another unusual experience is hiking up directly beneath Mount Pumori.
From the lower viewpoint, you can see the peak of Kalapatthar situated somewhat below Pumori. You may see enormous peaks like Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Changtse, and Lingtren in addition to Mount Everest. Another breathtaking view is of the Khumbu glacier.
Pheriche: Rest your tired souls!
From the lower viewpoint, you can see the peak of Kalapatthar situated somewhat below Pumori. You may see enormous peaks like Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Changtse, and Lingtren in addition to Mount Everest. Another breathtaking view is of the Khumbu glacier.
